Two new ideas I learned about Volcanoes...
  • Volcanoes erupt in 4 different ways. 1. thin, fluid magma oozes from cracks but doesn't explode. 2. thicker magma traps gases. Pressure builds up until ash and rock explode through the volcano's opening. Debris builds a volcanic cone. 3. thicker magma forms a plug dome in the volcano's opening. When the dome bursts in releases hot ash and rocks that rush down the volcano's slopes. 4. thickest magmas, largest amounts of gas builds pressure. When gas breaks, it shoots ash and rocks miles high.
  • There is a Record Breaking Eruption in the United States. In Hawaii, for 20 years Kilauea has been a nonstop erupting volcano and it's spouting lava each day and it rolls down the slopes for six miles and could fill 300 Olympic-size swimming pools at 2,100 degrees fahrenheit.
One navigational strategy you used to locate information within a particular website was...
  • I looked at the layout of the website and it was put into categories and most of the websites had visuals to go along with the facts about Volcanoes.
One reliable source of information about the topic...
  • I used National Geographic for Kids (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids) and I believe that is a reliable source for kids because National Geographic is well known for it's facts and its a great website for kids to navigate for various topics because of the categories and pictures. It's also made into a magazine for for adults and children.
One informational feature I found useful and developmentally appropriate for fourth graders studying for this topic was...
  • National Geographic for Kids was an amazing website because it had great visuals that fourth grades would enjoy looking at and it also had the facts presented more in a fun way for example it told kids about the different types of volcanoes and it showed them pictures of what they looked like. The website was more like a slideshow of the facts of Volcanoes which helped children visualize what these volcanoes look like.
Tori Hitte

Lesson Idea

Volcanoes

Lesson Objective: After reading Vacation Under the Volcano by Mary Pope Osborne, as a class we learned that Mount Vesuvius was a volcano in Pompeii and it erupted and buried the city. Through the characters, Jack and Annie, we also learned what it looked and felt like to actually be in Pompeii during the eruption of the volcano. This activity will help the class understand how volcanoes erupt and what different kinds of eruptions there are. Please use these websites given below to research volcanoes.

Using the National Geographic for Kids website:
You should be at the stories category and Volcano! Mountain of Fire story.
Answer the following questions about Volcanoes:

1. How many ways do volcanoes erupt? Explain each way.

2. Which way did Mount Vesuvius erupt? Explain how. (This is making connections through text-text/website.)

3. What volcano has the record-breaking eruption? Explain why.

4. Why kinds of obstacles get in volcano's way? Describe. (Students must visualize in order to answer this question correctly.)

Using the Exploring the Environment Modules website:
You should be at the Volcano category.
Click on Volcanology and answer the following questions:

1. How many types of volcanoes are there?

2. Explain each type of volcano.

3. Which kind of volcano do you think Mount Vesuvius is and why? (This is making the students ask themselves about a certain volcano in the story.)

Bonus Points: Make your own Volcano!!! Choose what type it will be, how it will erupt, where it is located, and finally NAME your VOLCANO! (This project is making connections by text-to-self because they have to make up their own volcano.)

RUBRIC
  • For each question correct you will earn 14 points to equal 100% - to earn all points to a question, you must include a well thoughout explanation.
  • For Bonus Points, you must include all categories to earn 10 extra points on what you learned about Volcanoes.

Tori Hitte